Go full stream ahead with Beltone Amaze™

Easy all-day Android™ streaming directly to these Bluetooth® hearing aids from Android phones.

How is this possible?

GN Hearing, Google, and Cochlear have introduced the world’s first direct Android streaming to hearing aids and hearing implants using Bluetooth Low Energy wireless technology.*

Beltone is a range of hearing aids by GN Hearing and Beltone Amaze is the newest feature-rich hearing aid solution.

How can an Android phone or device help with hearing loss?

The new streaming solution brings Bluetooth Low Energy streaming to Android users who wear Bluetooth hearing aids, such as Beltone Amaze. With 75% of the world’s mobile users relying on Android phones and devices, we want to make it effortless to access technology that improves quality of life for the many hearing aid users.

What are the key benefits?

You can now stream music, phone calls, and other audio directly from compatible Android devices to Beltone hearing aids without needing an intermediate device to connect the units. Thanks to Bluetooth Low Energy technology, you can stream all day while preserving battery life. This is a challenge for the traditional Classic Bluetooth streaming currently available.

Facts about Android

Android is the mobile operating system developed by Google, which is used for Android phones and tablets. The operating system for MFi devices, such as iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, is iOS.

Around 75% of the world’s mobile users rely on Android phones and other devices. If you have one, then you’re in good company.

Not all can just yet. Currently, direct Android streaming using Bluetooth Low Energy technology is available for Google Pixel 3, running on operating system Android 10 Pie and using Bluetooth version 5.0. More Android devices will be added in time. You can check if your phone or device is ready for Bluetooth Low Energy streaming to your hearing aids on our Android compatibility page.

The hearing aids which currently offer direct Android streaming are Beltone Amaze models.

Around 466 million people worldwide live with disabling hearing loss , and the number is increasing by millions every year, according to the World Health Organization . If you or someone you know has a hearing loss, you or they are not alone.

Yes, you can. Direct streaming to iPhone was first launched by GN Hearing and Beltone in 2014, and today many people are enjoying how easy it is to get their favorite music or calls from loved ones directly in their ears. You can also stream directly to an iPad and iPod touch using Beltone.

GN Hearing, Google, and Cochlear have worked together to create a new open specification for hearing aid streaming support on future versions of Android devices.

This new technology collaboration enables a wide spectrum of direct streaming from Android phones and tablets to hearing aids and hearing implants. GN Hearing and Cochlear are the first companies to support the new technology and offer this solution.

If you use Beltone Amaze, you will no longer need an accessory to stream sound from your Android device to your hearing aids. We hope this will allow more people to call friends, enjoy listening to music, and benefit from brilliant sound.

A team of engineers from GN Hearing, Google, and Cochlear have collaborated on developing this new technology for the past two years, based on the jointly developed hearing aid specification: Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) on Bluetooth Low Energy Connection-Oriented Channels.

We are working with Google and Cochlear to provide greater benefits for Android users. In particular, the option to stream phone calls, audio books, podcasts, and music, which are features that current users of our existing smartphone solutions love. This can help them overcome their hearing loss and enrich their lives with connectivity and entertainment.

If you use Beltone Amaze, you will receive a notification that new hearing aid software is ready for download in your Beltone HearMax™ app. You then download the update in the app to your Android phone – you can also ask your hearing care professional to help you do this.

Currently this feature is available for Beltone Amaze hearing aids.

If you have Beltone Trust^TM or Beltone Legend^TM hearing aids, you can use Beltone wireless accessories to stream audio from your Android devices.

Interested in finding out more?

A hearing care professional is ready to help.

Find your local Beltone Center

Beltone hearing care professional with Beltone Amaze hearing aid

Please seek advice from your medical practitioner or health professional about treatments for hearing loss. They will be able to advise on a suitable solution for the hearing loss condition. All products should be used only as directed by your medical practitioner or health professional. Not all products are available in all countries.

*For compatibility information and devices visit cochlear.com/compatibility and beltone.com/compatibility

Sources:

Statcounter Global Stats: Mobile Operating System Market Share Worldwide April 2019: http://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/mobile/worldwide. Accessed May 21, 2019.

Disabling hearing loss refers to hearing loss greater than 40dB in the better hearing ear in adults and a hearing loss greater than 30dB in the better hearing ear in children.

WHO: Deafness and hearing loss, March 2019: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss. Accessed on June 13, 2019.